Apache Pier Family Campground, Myrtle Beach, SC

I booked one month at this campground for several reasons — price, location, and dog-friendly. There are a few other RV resorts nearby also on the water, but they looked a little “stuffier.” Apache Pier has been here for several generations and looked like fun and where I wouldn’t be hassled about the dogs walking around. The infrastructure is older but it seems to be a very popular place and there are obviously people who return year after year.

I saw lots of license plates for New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, etc. A number of people had motors homes towed from a local storage and put in place ready for them while I was here. The snow birds stay from October to April 1st. Each lot is plenty wide enough for slides, gazebos, or second vehicles. And each site has a picnic table and full hookups. A lot of the 6 months people added extras like large decorated dog pens or covered shelters for B-B-Qing out of the wind and watching the games.

The location has several different areas — a section of permanent structures some of which are rentals; camping section; and pier and restaurant open to the public. It’s like a mini-city with 2 little stores (one closed mid-October for the season), 2 activity centers, laundry, and other amenities for anyone staying short or long term.

The best part to me is the beach access. It’s very easy to stroll along the beach at any of 4 or 5 access points. There is also a small strip park that parallels the camping section on one side which is perfect for walking the dogs day or night. There are dog waste cans and baggies throughout the park and a lot of the visitors and residents have multiple dogs. After Labor Day, dogs are allowed on the beach all day with leashes. Hours are restricted during the summer season. Dogs are not allowed to walk on the pier however.

I took advantage of the onsite restaurant several times, ordering some of the fresh fish dishes to go. Restaurant Row is nearby and can actually be accessed with your golf cart if you’re game. There’s a golf course that parallels the main road (Kings Highway) and has a bicycle/golf cart dedicated path for quite a ways. I’ve even seen residents take their golf cart down to the nearby WalMart for shopping convenience.

There are two dog parks in Myrtle Beach — north and south — and we visited both. We also visited a dog park in North Myrtle Beach at the South Carolina Sports Complex. Depending on which day you go, it can be really enjoyable or a little frustrating, as it is with most dog parks. I have one little dog under 20 pounds and one big dog, about 55 pounds, so sometimes I have to use facilities that aren’t perfect for both of them. Just be aware of other people and their dogs at all times.

I would return here for a longer stay if I’m in this area again one day. I did rent a car while I was here, which made sightseeing very simple. Places you could visit include:

Carolina Opry
Pirates Voyage dinner theater
Medieval Times dinner theater
Alabama Theater
Ripley’s Aquarium
Alligator Adventure
Barefoot Landing
The Boardwalk — activities and sights during the summer season
Numerous all-you-can-eat seafood buffets
Oodles of themed miniature golf courses

There are other ocean front RV Parks in Myrtle Beach, including Pirateland Camping Resort, but if you are a senior like me, have dog(s), and don’t need a lot of froufrou, Apache Pier is the place to be. I should not be amazed but am at how friendly the people were. I had great conversations with a number of the long term snow birds from the north east and you will never be left on your own if you need assistance with something.

Positives

Onsite restaurant and 2 stores (one is closed in the winter season)
Large laundromat
I was there in winter and no kids running around, which I appreciated
Easy beach access in numerous places
Small park to walk the dogs parallels
Large sites
Reasonable monthly fees for a resort town ($700)
Lots of dog spot waste containers throughout the park
Quiet (again, in the winter months)
Very close to a lot of shopping, eating, Walmart, etc.
Dirty Dawg self serve dog wash just a few miles away and very reasonably priced

Negatives

Dated infrastructure but this campground has been serving generations of campers
Hard to reach the front office by phone (don’t use the phone number on the website; use this one instead (843) 449-7323 or (843) 447-6486
No off leash dog park
After Nov 1 the beach is just swamped with golf carts but they didn’t really bother me at all